Dallas Sierra Club Calendar

Some walks in the woods are easy, but journeys of all lengths can turn from amazing to catastrophic if you can't find your way. Learn the fundamentals of navigating your way in the wilderness in this fun and comprehensive two-night class. Among the subjects covered are: looking for and purchasing different type maps, how to read maps, how not to get lost, map use if you do get lost, different kinds of compasses and how to use your compass. There will be some discussion about GPS, but our main focus is learning how to use a map and compass so you're not trusting your navigation (and life) to something that takes batteries. If you have a compass, bring it. If not, we'll have extras you can use and will show you what to look for when you purchase your own. The class will be held in the upstairs meeting room at Whole Foods Market, southeast quadrant of Preston Road and Forest Lane in Dallas. This two-night class (second night Thursday, September 29) will begin at 6:30 PM and finish about 8:45 PM. The class fee is $35 for members and $40 for non-members. Cost covers both nights and handout materials. We encourage online signups by the Monday before the class (click here) or you can pay with cash or check at the door. A half-day hike the following Saturday or Sunday with a class instructor will be offered to class participants who want to practice their new skills. Contact: Liz Wheelan Send Email 214-368-2306

Join us for this second night of our two-part class that begins Wed., Sep. 28. Both sessions are at Whole Foods Market, Preston Road at Forest Lane. See above for details (Sep. 28).  Coordinator: Liz Wheelan Send Email 214-368-2306

Walk and talk while picking up trash and recyclables at the Sierra Club's adopted section of White Rock Lake Park. Meet at 8:15 AM this second Saturday of the month at the Love of the Lake office, northeast corner of Garland Road and Buckner Boulevard.  Look for the crowd drinking free juice and coffee.  Gloves, trash bags, etc. will be provided. Our area includes one of the wonderful prairie restoration areas, so there are always birds and wildflowers to enjoy.  Brunch afterwards.  Trip rated: Easy. Leader: Carol Nash Send Email 214-455-2115

Join us for this relaxing weekend of fall beauty in scenic southeastern Oklahoma. We have an entire group compound reserved, complete with your choice of rustic cabin or tent camping, bathhouse and dining hall with kitchen. We offer Saturday hike options ranging from a one-mile nature trail to a 7-mile roller-coaster trail up and down and over the skyline ridges. The park offers many family-friendly activities you can enjoy. We even offer a Saturday night catered dinner option. Space is still available but act now. Reservation deadline is Oct 11. Full details and sign-up information is in this PDF. Trip rated: Kid Friendly. Coordinator: Liz Wheelan Send Email 214-368-2306

Come to the hilly terrain of Cedar Ridge Preserve to help maintain one of the better trail networks in Dallas.  The Sierra Club is responsible for the Possum Haw Trail.  We work here on third Saturdays of almost every month, starting at 8 AM, working until approximately 11:00.  The Preserve's address is 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas.  For directions and general information about Cedar Ridge Preserve, click this link.   If you need more information or want to carpool, call or email me. Contact: Ginger Bradley Send Email 469-223-7902

The Outings Committee meets tonight at 6:30 at Whole Foods Market, SE quadrant of Preston Road and Forest Lane, Dallas, upstairs. We'll review recent outings and plan future ones.  An objective for tonight will be to set remaining dates and destinations for major trips of 2017.  Bring your research and recommendations.  Anyone interested in outings is invited. Reply to Mark to be added to the advance agenda email list or to suggest an agenda item.   Organizer: Mark Stein Send Email 214-526-3733

This is one of the Dallas Sierra Club's favorite local backpacking trips.  Come and join us to practice what you've learned in the backpacking class.  We'll hike about 4 1/2 miles one way and camp near a waterfall.   We will be hiking along a shallow stream, and go across it a couple of times.  There will also be a few small hills to climb.  After setting up camp and resting, we'll do a short day hike as time permits. This is a relatively easy backpack outing, suitable for beginners.  Priority sign-ups will be given to those who have taken the August 13, 2016 backpacking class.  Please contact the leader to sign up. Trip rated: Easy. Leader: Marcos Jorge Send Email 214-682-6555

Last October's trip to the Buffalo River valley in northern Arkansas was so much fun that we’re returning to those towering bluffs and deep hollows.  Leave Dallas on a sleeper bus Thursday night, eat breakfast Friday in Huntsville, Arkansas and arrive at 

trailheads Friday morning.  That gives three full days for hiking before late Sunday afternoon pick-ups and dinner in Jasper, Arkansas. We’ll bring you home before sunrise Monday, Oct. 31, Halloween. 

We've planned four trip itinerary options, with average daily distances of four to ten miles. Late October is usually an ideal weekend for fall color in the Buffalo valley. It’s also a great month for hiking because it's dry season and the Buffalo River trails network crosses the Buffalo at many fords where removing boots isn’t usually necessary in the fall. For trip details and information on how to register, click this PDF link. Coordinator: Bill Beach Send Email 214-662-3224

Hike with us on Veterans Day weekend at Caprock Canyons State Park.  We will meet early on Friday, November 11th, departing for the park near Quitaque, Texas.  After backpacking about two miles, we will make camp and explore before turning in for the night.  On Saturday, we will backpack four miles with some stretches of extremely steep and rugged terrain, make camp and then day hike another five miles.  On Sunday, we day hike a six-mile loop through lower ground before breaking camp, then backpack a mile and return to Dallas Sunday evening.  Previous backpacking experience is required. This outing will accommodates a maximum of twelve participants.  Please contact Jake Trousdale for trip information.
  Trip rated: Strenuous. Leader: Jake Trousdale Send Email 214-244-4887

Walk and talk while picking up trash and recyclables at the Sierra Club's adopted section of White Rock Lake Park. Meet at 8:15 AM this second Saturday of the month at the Love of the Lake office, northeast corner of Garland Road and Buckner Boulevard.  Look for the crowd drinking free juice and coffee.  Gloves, trash bags, etc. will be provided. Our area includes one of the wonderful prairie restoration areas, so there are always birds and wildflowers to enjoy.  Brunch afterwards.  Trip rated: Easy. Leader: Carol Nash Send Email 214-455-2115

The Outings Committee meets tonight at 6:30 at Whole Foods Market, SE quadrant of Preston Road and Forest Lane, Dallas, upstairs. We'll review recent outings and plan future ones.  Anyone interested in outings is invited. Reply to Mark to be added to the advance agenda email list or to suggest an agenda item.   Organizer: Mark Stein Send Email 214-526-3733

Walk and talk while picking up trash and recyclables at the Sierra Club's adopted section of White Rock Lake Park. Meet at 8:15 AM this second Saturday of the month at the Love of the Lake office, northeast corner of Garland Road and Buckner Boulevard.  Look for the crowd drinking free juice and coffee.  Gloves, trash bags, etc. will be provided. Our area includes one of the wonderful prairie restoration areas, so there are always birds and wildflowers to enjoy.  Brunch afterwards.  Trip rated: Easy. Leader: Carol Nash Send Email 214-455-2115

It's a busy month and we'll get along fine without another meeting this third Wednesday.  The next Outings Committee meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 18.  If you discover business that cannot wait, contact Mark.  Organizer: Mark Stein Send Email 214-526-3733

Dates for the 2017 bus trip to hike and backpack in Big Bend National Park are set.  We'll leave Dallas on the sleeper bus Wednesday night, Feb. 15 and return Monday morning, Feb. 20, before dawn.  Enjoy four days and three nights in the National Park.  Expect backpacking options for the Chisos Mountains, a Chisos-Dodson-Mule Ears route and the Mesa de Anguila, also an option for long day hikes (including Hot Springs) from a base camp. Details and registration forms will appear here in November.   Bus trip leader: Arthur Kuehne Send Email 214-608-3210